Collections Curator

Collections management

Ensure the best practice management of the collection works:

• In the store and on display.
• On our collections management system (eHive).
• Via our policies and procedures and agreements, such as loan agreements.
• Via preventive conservation procedures.

Collections strategy

Facilitate and support collections advisory board sessions if needed, alongside an art group to lead on the art strategy across South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

Ensure the collection meets Gallery policy and all documentation is ready for submission for accreditation.

Collections display and interpretation

Work with different groups of stakeholders including service users, staff, carers, local community members to develop, co-curate and document displays in selected locations across the hospital sites and local community. We have approximately 200 works and are hoping at least 150 of these will go out on loan as part of displays. This entails:

• Project managing each display, including transport, framing where needed, and installation.
• Work with technicians and venue staff to oversee installations in accordance with conservation and health and safety requirements.
• Working with the team to document the displays.
• Completing condition checking and loan documentation, ensuring records are well kept and stored.
• Providing content for the website, eHive and social media.

Project management and reporting

The Collections Curator will project manage the project, delivering exhibitions and managing the collection. This will involve:

• Liaising with stakeholders in all sorts of contexts with the support of the gallery team.
• Tracking and improving the sustainability of the project.
• Contributing to the evaluation of the project using the Creative Health Quality Framework and Bethlem Gallery’s Theory of Change.
• Managing and keeping to budgets.
• Completing reports.

With the rest of the team (this is across all of the team’s role descriptions)

• Support the artists we work with: get to know them and their practice.
• Uphold collective responsibility, knowledge sharing and collaborative team working across the organisation.
• Support the Gallery to operate when needed – for example cover the front desk and support visitor experience as and when needed.
• Keep updated on organisational policies and procedures, including health and safety, inclusion, confidentiality.
• Contribute to developing the profile and outcomes of the Gallery and its work in the arts and health sectors and beyond.
• Aim for a best practice approach in all that we do. Support the Gallery to become increasingly open, inclusive and accessible in terms of practice, policy and communications.
• Be committed to social justice and environmental sustainability through our programme, process, plans and policies.
• Engage in continuing professional development, seeking to stay up to date with developments and best practice in your area of work.
• Be committed to our organisational vision and values.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Experience

• At least 3 years’ experience working as a Curator and/or Collections Officer
• Experience of curating exhibitions, exhibition installation and artwork handling
• Experience of collections documentation and using collections management databases such as eHive, Modes, Adlib or similar
• Experience of working with a range of people in co-curating/participatory projects
• Experience managing budgets
• Experience of working in a mental health setting or similar and with people with a wide range of access needs

Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent IT skills
• Ability to advocate well for artists and artistic practice
• Ability to work well both independently and as part of a team

Knowledge

• Knowledge of Spectrum collections management procedures
• Understanding of preventive conservation principles
• An understanding of museums and the visual arts sector
• Knowledge of arts and health sectors’ issues and priorities

Personal attributes

• Calm, kind, collaborative and efficient
• Flexible and adaptable, well organised
• Commitment to, and understanding of Confidentiality, Equal Opportunities and inclusion Policies
• Understanding of personal strengths and weaknesses and a commitment to personal development.
• Able to work flexible hours including evenings where required
• Alignment with the vision, mission and values of Bethlem Gallery

Benefits

We’ll contribute 5% to your pension. You will be entitled to 25 days FTE of annual leave plus bank holidays. We offer flexible working hours within reason. We have monthly team reflective practice sessions and access to NHS and cultural sector training opportunities.

HOW TO APPLY

If you are a skillful and kind collections professional who is excited by the work we do and meet the essential criteria then we would love to hear from you.

We particularly welcome and encourage applications from candidates from the global majority, who are currently underrepresented within our team.

If you’re worried you do not fit all the criteria but do have relevant experience that could make you a great candidate, we encourage you to apply.

To apply please send a CV and covering letter explaining how you meet the requirements of the job to jobs@bethlemgallery.com

We welcome applications in written, audio or video formats. To submit applications in an alternative format, to request information in an alternative format or to discuss any reasonable adjustments in the recruitment process please email jobs@bethlemgallery.com.

We will be holding a Q&A session on Zoom for those who want to find out more about the role on Thursday 23 September at 1-1.30pm. Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82318755210?pwd=TbmYcSm0EqZqpaIWYMz3LEGsHk9ORp.1

You are welcome to join with your camera on or off. This Q&A session will be recorded and will be posted the following